Rebecca Busic, a Montezuma County community organizer, announced Tuesday she is running for the Board of Commissioners seat in next fall’s election.
“I think people in the county, and in the country, are looking for something different,” Busic said. “Things don’t feel like they’re going that well for a lot of people.”
Busic is the fifth person to declare a campaign for the seat on the three-member commission. She announced her run during the Montezuma County chapter of Indivisible’s rally Tuesday at Veterans Park. Local rally organizers said the Montezuma County Democratic Party asked whether Busic could make her announcement during the event.
The election will determine who fills the District 1 seat held by Jim Candelaria, whose two-term limit ends November. The other race contenders include Republicans Brett Likes, Bonnie Anderson, Diane Fox-Spratlen and Gerald “Jerry” Whited. Additionally, Undersheriff Tyson Cox has announced he is running, so far without opposing candidates, for sheriff.
“This county has been represented by only one group of people for a really long time,” Busic said. “And I’d like to represent a new path forward.”
Busic said she has lived in Montezuma County for 22 years and described herself as a lifelong rural resident. She is a member of the Montezuma County Democrats.
“The rural way of life is really important to me,” she said. “That’s why we’re raising our son here.”
She said her background as a community organizer prepares her for commissioner responsibilities.
“I still believe in community, small town and everything that it can provide to people,” Busic said.
Busic said her campaign will focus on three priorities: the county’s economy, housing and affordable child care.
“I want to shore up our economy,” she said. “With Kinder Morgan’s revenues still decreasing regularly, we need to find alternative sources for our county.”
She said the county should consider new revenue options to maintain essential services.
“The commissioners need to get organized and pass some kind of tax, be it a sales tax or a lodgers tax, so we can ensure county services continue to everyone who needs them,” Busic said, citing public safety and social services.
Busic said housing and child care are directly tied to economic stability.
“Our economy is then being directly impacted by our lack of affordable housing and our lack of affordable and accessible child care,” she said. “When people can’t send their kids somewhere to go during the day that’s safe, they can’t go to work.”
According to her website, accessible housing is a main driver for attracting newcomers and working families to Southwest Colorado, and she believes young people and families are “what make a community vibrant.”
Busic said she owns White Barn Consulting, which facilitates small elections nationwide and assists groups with surveys and public outreach.
“I’m just really excited about this campaign,” she said. “I intend to run a really positive and inclusive campaign, and I’m excited to talk to real people.”
The other two commissioners will continue serving their terms. Commissioner Kent Lindsay, of District 2, was reelected in 2024 after serving the 2020 term and previously from 1997 to 2005. District 3 Commissioner Gerald Koppenhafer was elected in 2024 after serving two terms from 2004 to 2012.
